Texans fans hope season is in the bag, too

By Joy Sewing |
August 17, 2013

Houston Texans fan Regina Brower holds her belongings in a clear bag Saturday as he goes through security screening before entering Reliant Stadium to watch a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

While Texans fans brought their team spirit to the first pre-season home game against the Miami Dolphins, many left their bags, at least the big ones, at home.

The NFL bag policy, which was approved in June, got little fanfare.. Many game-goers carried the clear NFL logo plastic bag, a hand-size bag or had their belongings tucked into a gallon-size plastic bag, which were distributed by employees in the parking lots.

Security lines to enter the stadium also appeared to move rapidly.

"It was an extremely smooth process," said John Schriever, Texans senior vice president of ticketing and event management. "We've been communicating the details of the new bag policy through every outlet available to us. Our fans listened and came to the game prepared."

Season ticket holder Linda Triplette heeded the Texans' early advice to measure her bag before arriving at the stadium.

"I knew it had to be hand size," she said, pointing to her small, red pouch strapped over her shoulder. "It's a great rule to help with security."

The new NFL league-wide stadium bag policy restricts the types of bags you can carry to clear plastic bags that don't exceed 12 inches wide by 12 inches high by 6 inches deep, the equivalent of a one-gallon clear plastic resealable bag, or a woman's clutch-style handbag (with or without straps) measuring no more than 6½ inches wide by 4½ inches high.

Any bag that's not clear is subject to being opened and checked by security.

On Saturday, employees were stationed in the perimeter parking lots to advise fans so they wouldn't be turned away at the stadium entrance.

Jennifer Patterson carried the NFL logo official plastic bag she received by mail as a season ticket holder. While her clear bag was neatly packed with her personal belongings, Patterson was surprised to learn that any non-clear bag inside would likely be checked by security as well.

"I thought I was OK, but I still have to open every bag inside the NFL bag. So what's the point?" she said.

Security guard Dishikqua Green said security employees went through several days of training on the policy earlier this month and hadn't encountered any issues with fans Saturday night.

"It's all pretty common sense. Most people understand it's the rule and you have to follow it," Green said.

A few fans, like Londyn Gage, were surprised by the new rule. She arrived carrying a large wallet. "I don't understand how my wallet is safety hazard," she said. "I just don't understand."